BOLTON'S brave bobbies were given their rewards in a special ceremony this week.

Specially invited guests packed into Bolton Town Hall to see the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, David Wilmot; the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Peter Finch, and the Mayoress, Mrs Rita Fairhurst, present awards to police officers, a member of the Special Constabulary support staff and a member of the public for their bravery and long service.

The Chief Constable's Commendation was presented to PC Adrian Ollerton for his bravery in arresting two men who had committed a robbery.

The Westhoughton-based officer attended a robbery scene last year at a post office in the town after two men, armed with axes and CS gas canisters, escaped after threatening members of staff.

He began searching a nearby park where he saw one of the offenders and arrested him after a brief struggle.

As he continued his search he realised that someone was hiding in the undergrowth and, even though he knew he might be armed, the brave PC entered the undergrowth and arrested him.

Astley Bridge Detective Constable Michael Hudson, aged 49, was awarded the Citation of Merit for his professionalism and dedication in carrying out a particularly complex investigation after a man was viciously attacked by five men in his home in June.

The Chief Constable also awarded his Commendation to two members of the public for the courage they displayed while detaining a violent man and the St John Ambulance Award to two women who performed first aid on a man with severe head injuries in October 1997 after he was attacked in the street. Recipients Andrea Pollard and Tracy Murphy are both from Bolton.

Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medals were awarded to: Inspectors Stephen Bailey, Peter Ramsden and Gordon Robertson plus WPC Margaret Foster along with constables Garry Farmer, David Feehan, Graham Irish, Marcina Lucas, George Slupski, Jonathon Pearson, Pauline Barlow, Gillian Greenhalgh, Ian Swarbrick, William Bimpson and Bryan Evans.

The Special Constabulary Long Service Medal was given to former Special Constable Stanley Dyson and the Long Service Bar was presented to Special Constable Frank Riley.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.